The representation of time variant free surface seepage using the finite element method

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Historically, several techniques have been used to investigate a large number of groundwater seepage problems, but no general solution is available. analytical solutions for free surface flows are available for a limited number of cases, and experimental techniques based on analogue devices have provided useful solutions to many problems, but this latter technique is difficult to adapt to solve other problems. more generalised solutions can only be achieved by means of numerical techniques and this thesis presents an application of one such technique, the finite element method, to the solution of the problem. the.basic aim of this investigation is the development of a finite element computer program using isoparametric elements. the resultant computer program can handle two-dimensional flow in an unconfined aquifer, the medium is considered homogeneous and isotropic, and the capillary flow negligible. results are presented for a variety of problems and compared to other methods. a comprehensive review of methods of solution is also included in this work with some results presented for each method.the computer program can be developed to investigate many groundwater flow problems such as regional groundwater flow and laplacian flow (i.e. steady state flow).